An Onboard Executive and Volunteer
How did you get to where you are? All of my life, I’ve been told by those around me, friends and strangers alike (yes - even by a supply teacher I’d met for 5 seconds back in year 8), how much potential I have and how far I will go in life. Today, I currently work as an Onboarding executive for a tech company called Syft and I also volunteer for ResultsUK - a fantastic grassroots International Development organisation, specialising in political advocacy. I got to where I am today thanks to the constant support provided by those around me. However, as an aspiring Data Analyst, I would say I am still on my journey towards my own, current definition of “success.”
Who or what inspires you? For me, it’s God first and foremost. Thanks to my faith and what is written in the Bible, I know exactly how he works through people for good. Secondly, my parents. Seeing just how much they have been (and are still going) through as first generation immigrants, moving to the UK to better their lives and to provide my sisters with certain opportunities they never had. My family means everything to me and making them proud inspires me everyday to unlock my potential.
What have you found most challenging? The most challenging thing for me has been recognising that success shouldn’t be defined in a rigid timeframe. In my second year of university, I made a 5 year plan and 5 years later, I looked back at that plan and realised that I only stuck to 2 years out of my 5 year plan. This was because I made a big decision after university that was solely done for me and it resulted in my aims changing completely. That 5 year plan was no longer viable because I no longer wanted to do a key thing within that plan. Recognising that it was okay to have not stuck to my plan initially came as a challenge. However, looking back now, I gained so much happiness as a result and I’m still alive therefore, I can still achieve whatever I want to. If you make a plan, it’s important to recognise that a roadblock isn’t always a stumbling block but it may just be the stepping stone that you never knew you needed.
What have you found most rewarding? I find the results of consistency most rewarding. Structure wasn’t something that was drilled into me growing up and I’d always found it difficult to stay consistent. With age, I’ve gradually realised how empowering it can be to structure what I want to do and to be consistent with it. For example, it was only after consistently following a structured plan in the gym that I started seeing results. Actively seeing fat loss and muscle gain kept me motivated to keep on going. I could contextualise that to so many other situations. It’s so rewarding seeing even the smallest bit of progress in any aspect of my life and it enables me to keep going.
What advice would you give others? If you can, form a tight-knit circle. Don’t just look out towards the world, the media or famous people for inspiration. You’ll tend to find that the real stories of those closest to you are the most inspiring. If you’re not in a position in life where you have a tight-knit circle, reach out. Find someone who inspires you (even if it is a stranger) and start a dialogue with them. There’s so much power in words. Everyone has a story and you may find that hearing their story will help you to write your own.
